Update on 237 Lawrence St. Progress
September 21st, 2026
How It’s Been Going
It’s been two and a half months since we officially purchased 237 Lawrence St. with the goal of expanding our kitchen and retail space. Since then, we’ve been deep in the planning phase, gathering information and working through the many details that need to be addressed before construction can begin.
This includes evaluating sewer line needs, Environmental Health regulations, easements, building codes, power supply requirements, and other important considerations. Doing this work upfront is critical to understanding the full scope of the project and identifying potential challenges before construction begins.
We’ve also been meeting proactively with Environmental Health and the Building Department. Taking the time to work through these requirements now will help us avoid unnecessary delays later and ensure that our plans meet all applicable regulations and requirements.
At this point, we are still firmly in the planning phase. We contracted with Butterfly Design and Build specifically to help us work through this phase and make sure the necessary planning and design work is completed before the project goes out to bid.
Once the plans are fully developed and the necessary permits are in hand, we will open the bidding process to the local contractor community. The board has established criteria for evaluating bids and selecting the contractor that is the right fit for the project.
Below is a rundown of the priority areas the board will consider when reviewing contractor bids.
According to the bidding policy established in our Board Procedure Manual:
The General Manager shall obtain a minimum of three written or documented oral estimates for capital expenditures exceeding $15,000. These estimates must be obtained and presented to the Board of Directors prior to contracting. The Board of Directors will make the final determination of who to award the contract to. Contracts will not necessarily be awarded to the lowest bidder–contracts will be awarded to the best bidder as determined by the Board, including preferences for:
1) Feather River Food Cooperative member-owners
2) local bidders
3) bidders representing organizations whose missions align with those of the Co-op
4) the capacity of the bidder to fulfill the scope of work.
The requirement for three bids may be waived, with approval from the Board, depending on the circumstances, such as when:
- there is only a single vendor with the capacity to do the work (sole source provider)
- the work is an emergency
- the Co-op has a long-standing relationship with a particular vendor who is especially knowledgeable about the scope of work
- changing vendors would disrupt existing warranties
- other vendors are not willing to bid on the project.
The bidding policy is available to every member-owner through our website. If you’re interested in learning more about how the process works, we also encourage you to attend a board meeting. Board meetings are open to all current co-op members, with both virtual and in-person options available. You can find the board meeting schedule, meeting links, and the board’s email address on our website.
Once we are ready to open the project for contractor bids, we will announce the opportunity through our social media channels, in-store signage, email communications to our membership, and local news outlets. We will make every effort to reach and engage a diverse range of local contractors and give as many qualified contractors as possible an opportunity to participate.
What Is Being Done Right Now?
One important piece of the building plan that we are working to address before winter is replacing the roof. The roof is a critical first step in the larger project, and getting it taken care of now will help protect the building as we move forward with the rest of our plans.
We are currently working through the details of the roof replacement, including conversations with roofing companies, with the goal of completing the new roof by the end of October.
In addition, our sewer line repairs and easement work are actively moving through the planning process. We are currently working to secure a date for this work to be completed and will share more information as those plans come together.
How Members Can Support the Project
As member-owners of this cooperative, you have an important role in shaping its future. One of the defining principles of a food co-op is that it is owned by the people it serves. That means major projects like this one aren’t simply about expanding a building—they are about investing in the long-term future of our shared community resource.
Member engagement is especially important as we move through a project of this size. Staying informed, attending board meetings, asking questions, sharing ideas, and participating in the co-op’s governance helps ensure that the project reflects the needs and priorities of the membership. We encourage you to consider joining the board of directors or attending our monthly board meetings. Your participation helps strengthen the cooperative and gives members a voice in the decisions that shape its future.
There are also several ways members can provide financial support. If you have not yet reached the $300 maximum in member equity, consider increasing your member equity contribution to that level. Member equity is an important source of cooperative capital and provides the co-op with funds that can be used to help move projects like this forward.
In the coming months, we will also launch a member loan and donation drive to help fund this project. Member loans through a capital campaign can provide the co-op with an important source of locally held financing, helping reduce our reliance on higher-interest traditional bank loans. At the same time, members who choose to make a loan to the co-op have the opportunity to earn interest on their investment.
For a member-owned cooperative, this kind of support can be particularly meaningful. When members invest in the co-op, the resources raised can stay within the community while helping strengthen a business that members collectively own and rely on.
We’ll share more information as these opportunities become available. Please keep an eye out for announcements and consider how you might participate—whether through attending meetings, getting involved in governance, increasing your member equity, making a loan, or making a donation. Every form of member engagement helps build a stronger foundation for the future of our local food co-op.